Medieval Jainism

Author(s): Bhasker Anand Saletore
Publisher: Karnataka Publishing House

Page 28

ROYAL BENEVOLENCE Madhava ruled over the earth. The boundaries of their kingdom were the following on the north its frontiers touched Marandale, on the east Tonqanad, on the west, the ocean and the place called Ceram, and on the south, Kongu. Moreover, having subdued all the enemies that were within these limits, the Gangas made firm their dominion over so much, the circle of Gangavādi 96,000. It is this record which, as will be explained in a later context, states that Dadiga and Mädhava erected a caityālaya on the hill Mandaļi (near Shimoga), according to the advice of the same Ācārya, while out on an expedition to subdue the Konkaņa.
That Simhanandi Acārya actually taught his royal disciples the syād vāda doctrine is further proved by another record dated A.D. 1129, which informs us that “The sharp sword of meditation on the venerable Arhat, which cuts asunder the row of stone pillars the hostile army of the ghāti sins, was vouchsafed by Simhanandi muni to his disciples also. Otherwise, how was the solid stone pillar, which barred the road to the entry of the goddess of sovereignty, capable of being cut asunder by him with his sword ? " 2
These records are of the first quarter of the twelfth century A.D.; the Gangas as a ruling power disappeared by the end of the eleventh century A.D. Notwithstanding this chronological discrepancy, it may be conceded that the above account of Simhanandi Ācārya's having helped the first notable Ganga king in Karnāțaka, Konguņivarmā, may be accepted as valid. In a later connection in the same Siddhesvara temple record, while dealing with the spiritual line of the Jaina gurus of the Sri Mula sangha, Kondakundānvaya,
1. E. C. VII, Sh. 4, p. 6. Cf. Sh. 39 dated A.D. 1122, and Sh. 56 dated A.D. 1125, pp. 17, 21.
2. Ibid, II, 67, pp. 25-26.